State Funds Increase For Widening Of Intersection

Walkup, Illinois 176 Is Crystal Lake Site

August 11, 1999|By Anthony Burke Boylan, Tribune Staff Writer.

The amount of money available to widen the intersection of Walkup Avenue and Illinois Highway 176 in Crystal Lake tripled with the announcement Tuesday that another $800,000 will be earmarked for the project.

Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley was joined by state Sen. Dick Klemm, (R-Crystal Lake) in making the announcement. Klemm said his work with the Illinois Department of Transportation had secured the money in budget years 2000 through 2004.

"As the Beatles said: `Sometimes you need a little help from your friends,' " Shepley said from the City Council chamber.

The money is in addition to $400,000 state Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) secured in May for the current budget year.

"That means the project won't tax the city budget and it's not going to tax the county budget," Klemm said.

Klemm praised the $12 billion Illinois FIRST program, the biggest public works project in state history, that is providing the money. The program uses about $6 billion in state money to leverage another $6 billion in federal grants.

That is money the state didn't get before this program, Klemm said. He also touted the share McHenry County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state, is getting under the program. McHenry County will receive $127 million under Illinois FIRST, he said.

The Walkup and Illinois 176 intersection, known for traffic snarls and heavy congestion, is in need of widening and new signals. The $1.2 million already set aside for it should cover the cost of construction, officials said. The project is tricky because the intersection is under three jurisdictions.

Illinois 176 is controlled by the state. Walkup Avenue north of the intersection is under the county, and south of the intersection is under Crystal Lake's control. It is yet to be determined which entity will take the lead on the project, officials said. They estimated it would be two or three years before construction can begin.

In addition to the $1.2 million, Crystal Lake and McHenry County will have to put up money to acquire right of way in the area.

Conspicuously absent from the event, though, was Franks, who did not know about Tuesday's press conference. Contacted Tuesday evening, he raised concerns about the time frame announced for the project.

Franks said the project could lose money he got approved this year if construction did not begin sooner than the plan discussed Tuesday.